This is a tale featuring so much heterosexuality I just don’t even know how to describe it:

Steven Wilson is a member of the Church living in the San Francisco Bay area. Twenty years ago, he was introduced to the Church by a recently returned missionary he met in a gay bar. The two eventually moved in together and during the next seven years, Steven developed addictions, contracted AIDS and became severely depressed. As Steven’s condition worsened and he began to feel that he was going to die, he turned to an in-depth investigation of the Church.

This is his story about how he joined the Church, and eventually became an ordinance worker at the Oakland Temple. He is now happy and no longer experiences temptations with same gender attraction. He was baptized by the same returned missionary that first introduced him to the Church and with whom he has lived for the past 20 years. During the past 13 years of active Church membership, the two men have maintained a close bond of love, friendship and brotherhood within the gospel.

AWWWW, they met a gay bar, then seven years later, Steven joined his “roommate’s” church! How sweet, it is like 1965 all over again!

I would make further fun of this supposed “conversion story,” or point out that for two Mor-men, it’s exceptionally WEIRD to move in with another guy for TWENTY YEARS, but The General already re-told the story for us:

“Hi there, Brother Hairybear,” the missionary presumably said, “have you heard the story about how an angel gave Joesph Smith a second testament of Christ and how Joseph translated it by staring at a stone in a hat? Would you like to be baptized, move in with me, and spend the rest of our lives living the heterosexual lifestyle together?”

Touched by the Spirit of the Lord in a very heterosexual kind of way, Steven immediately responded, “Take me, Elder InDenial, take me to your home, baptize me, and let us live the heterosexual lifestyle, together, as brothers.”

Twenty years later, they’re still living together in that house, living the life of chaste and fervently heterosexual bachelors.

You know I love you. You know I do. But my stomach always churns a little bit when you write stories mocking someone’s personal story. You have no idea what this man went through or whether or not there is any legitimacy to his story. You also, unintentionally I believe, mock the lives of asexual people… especially asexual queer people… and those who choose to abstain from sex (hetero or homo) for religious reasons. That’s not fair.

Wayne BesenDecember 6, 2011 at 8:03 am -

If he doesn’t want to be made fun of then this clown should not be doing interviews. He is now a public figure mass marketing his tale with the obvious purpose of “proving” that gay people don’t exist, we are just confused heterosexuals. That the Mormon Church is the answer to ending our alleged confusion – so sign up and tithe ASAP!!

If this man wants to be exploited for anti-gay, pro-church propaganda, the least we can do is laugh at his buffoonery.

Bill SDecember 6, 2011 at 8:09 am -

I didn’t know a person could be asexual AND queer. I was under the impression “asexual” meant a person had NO sexual oriention-gay, straight or bi.

Bill SDecember 6, 2011 at 8:09 am -

er, “orientation”. oops.

Reese MDecember 6, 2011 at 8:39 am -

You never hear of any healthy, well-adjusted people who become ex-gay. They always have some sob-story and it ALWAYS involves religion. Considering religion can convince people that the ancient Israelites migrated to North America, I suppose its hardly a stretch to get them to deny their own sexuality.

grantdaleDecember 6, 2011 at 9:04 am -

Yes, Amen!!!

I’m never gonna look at those young men in the crisp white shirts on bicycles quite the same way again.

Thanks for that.

(lunacy, sheer lunacy)

Ozymandias71December 6, 2011 at 11:26 am -

Ah wonderful, yet *another* ‘story’ that the LDS leadership can try to beat us over the head with, screaming ‘SEE?! SEE?! YOU CAN CHANGE!!’ the whole time… which is the *only* reason why this tragedy is being promoted.

DanielDecember 6, 2011 at 12:42 pm -

Growing up Mormon in Utah, I met a lot of “Straight Mormons” in rest stops and men’s rooms at the mall.

GianniDecember 6, 2011 at 1:05 pm -

Obviously, this story isn’t meant for us. It will be wholeheartedly received in the religious community. They ARE that gullible!

Nick K.December 6, 2011 at 3:28 pm -

You know, I was all set to post a comment (sort of) agreeing with Cylest, but I took the time to click the link Evan provided and read the whole article. First off, I don’t believe Mr. Wilson’s (or anyone else’s for that matter) faith journey should be mocked. If living his life with this other unnamed man according to the principles set forth by the Mormon Church brings him happiness and fulfillment, then we should at least be respectful of that. Once Mr. Wilson was baptized, he did not marry a woman, have numerous children, and then destroy their lives by having down-low flings. Instead he continues to live with his “partner” of 20+ years. How they choose to celebrate their love is their business and should not be subjected to ridicule.

That being said…..

What really is cause for concern is what Evan did not re-post here:

“He attributes his success in overcoming same gender attraction and his addictions to the Church’s 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program and to the atonement of Jesus Christ. He shares his thoughts on gay marriage, President Packer’s October, 2010 Conference talk, and his strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

These are the last few sentences of the article regarding Mr. Wilson and forthcoming articles about his spiritual journey. Now, THIS is completely mock-worthy. It looks like the Mormon Church will now use this is as a “success story” on how their programs and religion offer a true alternative to the homosexual “lifestyle.” I find that part of Mr. Wilson’s story completely revolting. I hope TWO keeps tabs on this because it looks like the Mormon Church will be using Mr. Wilson’s story to change their tactics when attacking the LGBT community.

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Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights the "ex-gay" myth and antigay religious extremism.

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